U.S. patent application number 12/728053 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-22 for double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland.
This patent application is currently assigned to AVC INDUSTRIAL CORP.. Invention is credited to Jiun Wei Chiou.
Application Number | 20110226083 12/728053 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44646152 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110226083 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chiou; Jiun Wei |
September 22, 2011 |
DOUBLE-LOCK CABLE AND FLEXIBLE CONDUIT GLAND
Abstract
A double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland formed of a
shell, a collar, a packing ring, and a connection ring is
disclosed. The shell has an axial through hole. The collar has an
axial through hole. The packing ring has an axial through hole
surrounded by a first packing ring segment and a second packing
ring segment thereof. The collar is inserted into the axial through
hole of the shell. The packing ring is mounted in the axial through
hole of the collar. The connection ring and the shell are fastened
together by a screw joint, causing the first packing ring segment
and second packing ring segment of the packing ring to be wrapped
about the inserted cable or the inserted cable and flexible conduit
tightly, achieving a double-lock function and protecting against
moisture and dust particles.
Inventors: |
Chiou; Jiun Wei; (Taipei
County, TW) |
Assignee: |
AVC INDUSTRIAL CORP.
|
Family ID: |
44646152 |
Appl. No.: |
12/728053 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
74/502.4 ;
277/622 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 74/20462 20150115;
Y10T 74/2045 20150115; H02G 3/0691 20130101; F16C 1/102
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
74/502.4 ;
277/622 |
International
Class: |
F16C 1/12 20060101
F16C001/12; F16L 21/04 20060101 F16L021/04 |
Claims
1. A double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland for securing a
cable, or, a cable and a flexible conduit, to a box member,
comprising: a shell, said shell having an axial through hole
surrounded by an inside wall thereof, a tapered inner surface
formed on the inside wall of said shell and an inner thread formed
on the inside wall of said shell; a collar inserted in said shell,
said collar having an axial through hole, a beveled outer end edge
suspending outside the axial through hole of said collar and
stoppable against the tapered inner surface of said shell and a
protruding inner stop portion suspending inside the axial through
hole of said collar; a packing ring inserted through the axial
through hole of said collar and compressible by said collar to hold
down the inserted cable or the insertable flexible conduit and
cable, said packing ring having a first packing ring segment, a
second packing ring segment axially formed integral with one end of
said first packing ring segment and an axial through hole
surrounded by said first packing ring segment and said second
packing ring segment for the insertion of a cable, or a flexible
conduit and a cable in the flexible conduit, said second packing
ring segment defining a tapered outer surface, said first packing
ring segment having an outside annular groove extending around the
periphery thereof for receiving the protruding inner stop portions
of said collar; and a connection ring sleeved onto said collar and
said packing ring and connectable between said shell and the box
member, said connection ring having a tapered inner surface formed
on an inside wall thereof and stopped against the tapered outer
surface of said packing ring and a first outer thread extending
around the periphery thereof and threaded into the inner thread of
said shell.
2. The double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland as claimed in
claim 1, wherein said second packing ring segment of said packing
ring reduces gradually in diameter from said first packing ring
segment toward the free end thereof.
3. The double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland as claimed in
claim 1, wherein said collar comprises a plurality of pawls spaced
around the axial through hole thereof; said beveled outer end edge
of said collar is formed on an outer end of each of said pawls;
said protruding inner stop portion of said collar is formed on an
inner side of each of said pawls.
4. The double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland as claimed in
claim 1, wherein said packing ring is prepared from an elastically
deformable material.
5. The double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland as claimed in
claim 1, wherein said connecting ring defines a first connection
ring segment, a second connection ring segment and a stop flange
segment connected between said first connection ring segment and
said second connection ring segment, said stop flange segment
having an outer diameter greater than said first connection ring
segment and said second connection ring segment, said first
connection ring segment carrying said first outer thread of said
connection ring on the periphery thereof; said connection ring
further comprises a second outer thread extending around the
periphery of said second connection ring segment for fastening to a
hole on said box member.
6. The double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland as claimed in
claim 5, further comprising a gasket ring mounted on said second
connection ring segment of said connection ring and stopped at one
side of said stop flange segment.
7. The double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland as claimed in
claim 6, wherein said gasket ring has a plurality of raised
portions protruded from one side thereof for stopping against said
stop flange segment of said connection ring, and a convex portion
protruded from an opposite side thereof for stopping against said
box member upon fixation of said second connection ring segment to
said box member.
8. The double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland as claimed in
claim 6, wherein said gasket ring has a plurality of raised
portions protruded from one side thereof for stopping against said
box member upon fixation of said second connection ring segment to
said box member, and a convex portion protruded from an opposite
said thereof and stopped against said stop flange segment of said
connection ring; said stop flange segment of said connection ring
has a recessed portion matching the convex portion of sad gasket
ring.
9. The double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland as claimed in
claim 1, wherein said packing ring has at least one dent located on
the periphery of said second packing ring segment.
10. The double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland as claimed in
claim 1, wherein said packing ring has a hooked portion inwardly
protruded from and extending along an inside wall thereof for
engaging into a groove the inserted flexible conduit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a cable and flexible
conduit gland and more particularly, to a double-lock cable and
flexible conduit gland.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In the computer age or information era, people need to
receive different information from different source daily. The most
simple and quick way to get information is through the TV and the
internet. Cable and network signals are transmitted by cables. In
an automatic machine, the transmission of a reciprocating action
control signal is performed through a cable that has one end
connected to a signal receiver or signal source and the other end
connected to a signal output device. The connection between the
cable and the signal receiver or signal source is achieved by means
of a connector or gland.
[0005] However, the cable may be disconnected or loosened from the
connector or gland when stretched accidentally by an external
force, causing leakage. To avoid this problem, an improved design
of cable gland is disclosed. This prior art design of cable gland
comprises a first shell, a packing ring, a sealing nut, a lock nut,
a connection ring, an inner retaining ring, an elastic ring and a
second shell. After installation, the packing ring is forced to
wrap about the cable tightly, thereby locking the cable and
protecting against moisture.
[0006] The aforesaid prior art cable gland simply provides one
single-layer locking function. The clamping force is applied
through the packing ring to the cable at a single point around the
periphery of the cable. This clamping force is insufficient to lock
the cable. When the cable is stretched accidentally by an external
force, it may be disconnected from the signal receiver or signal
source. Further, the clamping force of the packing ring is
insufficient to protect the signal receiver or signal source
against outside moisture.
[0007] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a cable and flexible
conduit gland, which eliminates the aforesaid problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention has been accomplished under the
circumstances in view. It is therefore the main object of the
present invention to provide a double-lock cable and flexible
conduit gland for securing a cable, or, a cable and a flexible
conduit, which has a simple structure formed of a less number of
component parts and, which is easy to install and effectively locks
the installed cable and flexible conduit to protect against
moisture and dust.
[0009] To achieve this and other objects of the present invention,
a double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland comprises a shell, a
collar, a packing ring, and a connection ring. The shell has an
axial through hole surrounded by the inside wall thereof, a tapered
inner surface formed on the inside wall, and an inner thread formed
on the inside wall of the shell. The collar is inserted in the
shell, having an axial through hole, a beveled outer end edge
suspending outside the axial through hole and stoppable against the
tapered inner surface of the shell and a protruding inner stop
portion suspending inside the axial through hole. The packing ring
is inserted through the axial through hole of the collar and
compressible by the collar to hold down the inserted cable or the
insertable flexible conduit and cable. The packing ring has a first
packing ring segment, a second packing ring segment axially formed
integral with one end of the first packing ring segment and an
axial through hole surrounded by the first packing ring segment and
the second packing ring segment for the insertion of a cable, or a
flexible conduit and a cable in the flexible conduit. The second
packing ring segment defines a tapered outer surface. The first
packing ring segment has an outside annular groove extending around
the periphery thereof for receiving the protruding inner stop
portions of the collar. The connection ring is sleeved onto the
collar and the packing ring and connectable between the shell and
the box member. The connection ring has a tapered inner surface
formed on the inside wall thereof and stopped against the tapered
outer surface of the packing ring, and a first outer thread
extending around the periphery thereof and threaded into the inner
thread of the shell.
[0010] Further, the second packing ring segment of the packing ring
reduces gradually in diameter from the first packing ring segment
toward the free end thereof.
[0011] Further, the collar comprises a plurality of pawls spaced
around the axial through hole thereof. The beveled outer end edge
of the collar is formed on an outer end of each of the pawls. The
protruding inner stop portion of the collar is formed on an inner
side of each of the pawls.
[0012] Further, the packing ring is prepared from an elastically
deformable material.
[0013] Further, the connecting ring defines a first connection ring
segment, a second connection ring segment and a stop flange segment
connected between the first connection ring segment and the second
connection ring segment. The stop flange segment has an outer
diameter greater than the first connection ring segment and the
second connection ring segment. The first connection ring segment
carries the first outer thread of the connection ring on the
periphery thereof. The connection ring further comprises a second
outer thread extending around the periphery of the second
connection ring segment for fastening to a hole on the box
member.
[0014] The double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland further
comprises a gasket ring mounted on the second connection ring
segment of the connection ring and stopped at one side of the stop
flange segment.
[0015] Further, the gasket ring has a plurality of raised portions
protruded from one side thereof for stopping against the stop
flange segment of the connection ring, and a convex portion
protruded from an opposite side thereof for stopping against the
box member upon fixation of the second connection ring segment to
the box member.
[0016] In an alternate form of the present invention, the gasket
ring has a plurality of raised portions protruded from one side
thereof for stopping against the box member upon fixation of the
second connection ring segment to the box member, and a convex
portion protruded from an opposite the thereof and stopped against
the stop flange segment of the connection ring. Further, the stop
flange segment of the connection ring has a recessed portion
matching the convex portion of sad gasket ring.
[0017] Further, the packing ring has at least one dent located on
the periphery of the second packing ring segment.
[0018] In another alternate form of the present invention, the
packing ring has a hooked portion inwardly protruded from and
extending along an inside wall thereof for engaging into a groove
the inserted flexible conduit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is an exploded view in section of a double-lock cable
and flexible conduit gland in accordance with a first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a sectional assembly view, in an enlarged scale,
of the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland shown in FIG.
1.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the present
invention, showing the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland
of FIG. 1 used with a small diameter cable (I).
[0022] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the present
invention, showing the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland
of FIG. 1 used with a small diameter cable (II).
[0023] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the present
invention, showing the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland
of FIG. 1 used with a big diameter cable (I).
[0024] FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of the present
invention, showing the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland
of FIG. 1 used with a big diameter cable (II).
[0025] FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of the present
invention, showing the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland
of FIG. 1 used with a small diameter cable and a flexible conduit
(I).
[0026] FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of the present
invention, showing the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland
of FIG. 1 used with a small diameter cable and a flexible conduit
(II).
[0027] FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of the present
invention, showing the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland
of FIG. 1 used with a big diameter cable and a flexible conduit
(I).
[0028] FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of the present
invention, showing the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland
of FIG. 1 used with a big diameter cable and a flexible conduit
(II).
[0029] FIG. 11 is an exploded view in section of a double-lock
cable and flexible conduit gland in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a sectional assembly view, in an enlarged scale,
of the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland shown in FIG.
11.
[0031] FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view of the present
invention, showing the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland
of FIG. 11 used with a cable and a flexible conduit.
[0032] FIG. 14 is an exploded view in section of a double-lock
cable and flexible conduit gland in accordance with a third
embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 15 is a sectional assembly view, in an enlarged scale,
of the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland shown in FIG.
14.
[0034] FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view of the present
invention, showing the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland
of FIG. 14 used with a cable and a flexible conduit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1.about.8, a double-lock cable and
flexible conduit gland 100 in accordance with the present invention
is shown comprising a shell 10, a collar 20, a packing ring 30 and
a connection ring 40.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 again, the shell 10 has an axial
through hole 11, a tapered inner surface 12 formed on the inside
wall of the axial through hole 11 and an inner thread 13 formed on
the inside wall of the axial through hole 11.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 again, the collar 20 is a tubular
member having an axial through hole 21 and a plurality of pawls 24
spaced around the axial through hole 21. Each pawl 24 has a beveled
outer end edge 22 suspending outside the axial through hole 21 and
a protruding inner stop portion 23 suspending inside the axial
through hole 21.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 again, the packing ring 30 is
prepared from an elastically deformable material, for example,
rubber, having a first packing ring segment 31, a second packing
ring segment 32 axially formed integral with one end of the first
packing ring segment 31 and an axial through hole 33 surrounded by
the first packing ring segment 31 and the second packing ring
segment 32. The second packing ring segment 32 is shaped like a
tapered tube gradually reducing in diameter from the first packing
ring segment 31 toward the free end thereof, defining a tapered
outer surface 321. The first packing ring segment 31 has an outside
annular groove 311 extending around the periphery thereof.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 again, the connection ring 40 is
a tubular member having a tapered inner surface 41 formed on the
inside wall thereof and an outer thread 42 extending around the
periphery thereof.
[0040] After understanding of the structural details of the
double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland 100, the assembly
process of the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland 100 is
quite simple and described thereinafter.
[0041] At first, as shown in FIG. 2, insert the first packing ring
segment 31 of the packing ring 30 into the axial through hole 21 of
the collar 20 to force the outside annular groove 311 of the first
packing ring segment 31 into engagement with the protruding inner
stop portion 23 of the collar 20, and then insert the second
packing ring segment 32 of the packing ring 30 into the inside of
the connection ring 40, and than thread the outer thread 42 of the
connection ring 40 into the inner thread 13 of the shell 10 to abut
the tapered inner surface 41 of the connection ring 40 against the
tapered outer surface 321 of the packing ring 30 and to aim the
beveled outer end edges 22 of the pawls 24 of the collar 20 at the
tapered inner surface 12 of the shell 10.
[0042] When using the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland
100 with a cable 99 having a small outer diameter, as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4, insert the cable 99 into the axial through hole 11
of the shell 10 and then the axial through hole 33 of the collar
30, and then fasten tight the shell 10 (rotating the shell 10
tightly onto the connection ring 40) to force the tapered inner
surface 12 of the shell 10 against the beveled outer end edges 22
of the pawls 24 of the collar 20, thereby compressing and deforming
the first packing ring segment 31 of the packing ring 30. At this
time, the inside wall of the first packing ring segment 31 of the
packing ring 30 corresponding to the outside annular groove 311 is
forced into engagement with the outside wall of the cable 99,
forming a first packing area. At the same time, the tapered outer
surface 321 of the second packing ring segment 32 of the packing
ring 30 is forced by the tapered inner surface 41 of the connection
ring 40 against the outside wall of the cable 99, forming a second
packing area. Thus, the aforesaid first packing area and second
packing area achieve the expected double-lock function, prohibiting
displacement of the cable 99 relative to the double-lock cable and
flexible conduit gland 100.
[0043] As stated above, the first packing ring segment 31 and
second packing ring segment 32 of the packing ring 30 are forced
against the outside wall of the cable 99 to achieve the expected
double-lock function, the cable 99 will not be disconnected from
the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland 100 accidentally
by an external stretching force.
[0044] Further, because the double-lock cable and flexible conduit
gland 100 is simply composed a limited number of component parts,
the assembly and installation of the double-lock cable and flexible
conduit gland 100 are easy.
[0045] Further, the aforesaid connection ring 40 defines a first
connection ring segment 43, a second connection ring segment 44 and
a stop flange segment 45 connected between the first connection
ring segment 43 and the second connection ring segment 44. The stop
flange segment 45 has an outer diameter greater than the first
connection ring segment 43 and the second connection ring segment
44. The aforesaid outer thread 42 is located on the periphery of
the first connection ring segment 43 for meshing the inner thread
13 of the shell 10. The second connection ring segment 43 has an
outer thread 46 extending around the periphery thereof for
fastening to a hole on an external panel or box member (not
shown).
[0046] The double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland 100
according to this first embodiment further comprises a gasket ring
50. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gasket ring 50 is prepared from
an elastically deformable material, for example, rubber. Further,
the gasket ring 50 is sleeved onto the second connection ring
segment 44 of the connection ring 40 and stopped between the stop
flange segment 45 of the connection ring 40 and the panel or box
member upon fixation of the second connection ring segment 44 to
the panel or box member, thereby sealing the gap and prohibiting
access of moisture to the inside of the box member. Subject to the
double-lock function of the packing ring 30 worked on the outside
wall of the cable 99 and the seal effect of the gasket ring 50, the
invention effectively seal the gap to protect against moisture.
[0047] Further, the gasket ring 50 has a convex portion 52
protruded from one side for stopping against the panel or box
member upon fixation of the second connection ring segment 44 to
the panel or box member, enhancing the sealing effect.
[0048] The aforesaid packing ring 30 further has at least one dent
34 located on the periphery of the second packing ring segment 32.
When double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland 100 is used with
a cable 98 having a big outer diameter, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,
an end part of the second packing ring segment 32 can be cut off
along one of the at least one dent 34, facilitating fixation
between the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland 100 and
the cable 98. However, the cut-off length can be determined subject
to the diameter of the cable to be installed.
[0049] When using the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland
100 with a small diameter cable 99 being sleeved with a flexible
conduit 97, one end of the cable 99 is inserted into the axial
through hole 33 of the packing ring 3 of the double-lock cable and
flexible conduit gland 100 to let the exposed part of the cable 99
(the part of the cable 99 that is not surrounded by the flexible
conduit 97) be positioned in the second packing ring segment 32 and
the flexible conduit 97 be positioned in the first packing ring
segment 31. When the first packing ring segment 31 and the second
packing ring segment 32 are compressed radially inwards, the first
packing ring segment 31 is forced to wrap about the flexible
conduit 97 tightly, and the second packing ring segment 32 is
forced to wrap about the cable 99 tightly, achieving the same
double-lock function.
[0050] The aforesaid flexible conduit 97 can be a coiled or bellows
conduit prepared from metal, plastics or rubber.
[0051] When using the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland
100 with a big diameter cable 98 being sleeved with a flexible
conduit 97, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, one end of the cable 98 is
inserted into the axial through hole 33 of the packing ring 3 of
the double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland 100 to let the
exposed part of the cable 98 (the part of the cable 98 that is not
surrounded by the flexible conduit 97) be positioned in the second
packing ring segment 32 and the flexible conduit 97 be positioned
in the first packing ring segment 31, and the end part of the
second packing ring segment 32 is cut off properly subject to the
outer diameter of the cable 98. When the first packing ring segment
31 and the second packing ring segment 32 are compressed radially
inwards, the first packing ring segment 31 is forced to wrap about
the flexible conduit 97 tightly, and the second packing ring
segment 32 is forced to wrap about the cable 98 tightly, achieving
the same double-lock function.
[0052] FIGS. 11.about.13 illustrate a double-lock cable and
flexible conduit gland 200 in accordance with a second embodiment
of the present invention. According to this second embodiment, the
double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland 200 comprises a shell
10, a collar 20, a packing ring 30, a connection ring 40 and a
gasket ring 50. This second embodiment is substantially similar to
the aforesaid first embodiment with the exception that the packing
ring 30 of this second embodiment further has a hooked portion 35
inwardly protruded from and extending along the inside wall
thereof. After insertion of the cable 99 with the flexible conduit
97 into the packing ring 30, the hooked portion 35 is forced into
engagement with a groove around the periphery of the flexible
conduit 97, and thus the flexible conduit 97 is locked to the
double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland 200.
[0053] FIGS. 14.about.16 illustrate a double-lock cable and
flexible conduit gland 300 in accordance with a third embodiment of
the present invention. According to this second embodiment, the
double-lock cable and flexible conduit gland 300 comprises a shell
10, a collar 20, a packing ring 30, a connection ring 40 and a
gasket ring 50. This third embodiment is substantially similar to
the aforesaid first embodiment with the exception that the gasket
ring 50 of this third embodiment has a convex portion 52 protruded
from one side thereof for stopping against the stop flange segment
45 of the connection ring 40, and a plurality of raised portions 51
protruded from the other side thereof for stopping against a panel
or box member 96 upon fixation of the second connection ring
segment 44 to the panel or box member 96; the stop flange segment
45 of the connection ring 40 of this third embodiment has a
recessed portion 47 configured to match the convex portion 52 of
the gasket ring 50. After insertion of the outer thread 46 of the
second connection ring segment 44 of the connection ring 40 into a
hole 961 on the box member 96, a lock nut S is threaded onto the
outer thread 46 to lock the connection ring 40 to the box member
96. At this time, the raised portions 51 of the gasket ring 50 are
deformed and stopped against the box member 96 to seal the gap,
protecting against moisture and dust particles.
[0054] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail for purposes of illustration, various
modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention
is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.
* * * * *